Christian recruitment of young people

Gaer said:
Yet, Does it do harm to be exposed to many different ideas and philosophies
or does this just add to their knowledge?
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They Must be exposed to what society knows. I taught my son bible stuff as I didn't want him to be ignorant if someone made a reference to something biblical.
 

Organized religion as a whole causes nothing more than guilt and unacceptance.
Is this really what you want for our future leaders?

When my children were in school, there was no way that I allowed scripture.
I did not want to put extra pressure on their impressionable young minds, I believe that young people should have the right and the freedom to choose if they want to enter the institution of organized religion.

Granted, the ethical codes of the 10 commandments have served us as a society somewhat well.
I just think that brainwashing young people is wrong.
 

Tish said:
Organized religion as a whole causes nothing more than guilt and unacceptance.
Is this really what you want for our future leaders?

When my children were in school, there was no way that I allowed scripture.
I did not want to put extra pressure on their impressionable young minds, I believe that young people should have the right and the freedom to choose if they want to enter the institution of organized religion.

Granted, the ethical codes of the 10 commandments have served us as a society somewhat well.
I just think that brainwashing young people is wrong.
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I was the same way with my children! I had such terrible experiences in "Sunday school" as a child, I didn't want to inflict this
torment on my kids. I was kicked out of church and quit "Sunday school at the same time, when I was eight.
Never went back!
As you said, "impressionable young minds" will be subjected to enough untruths as they grow. No need to add to it.
 
Gaer said:
I was the same way with my children! I had such terrible experiences in "Sunday school" as a child, I didn't want to inflict this
torment on my kids. I was kicked out of church and quit "Sunday school at the same time, when I was eight.
Never went back!
As you said, "impressionable young minds" will be subjected to enough untruths as they grow. No need to add to it.
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At one point, my family taught school in an isolated area. The Salvation Army was one of the few available churches. My grandmother quickly removed me from Sunday school after, at the age of three, I informed

her I was full of sin. To this day, I recall my terror at the hellfire and damnation crap we children had foisted on us. A residual fear remains.
 
Geezer Garage said:
Take a deep breath, and chill David. Getting all worked up like that just kind of proves the point, don't you know.
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Your own emotional perceptions of something you apparently did not agree with. A valid description of fantasies with an agenda created by religious bashing entertainment media.
 
Shalimar said:
At one point, my family taught school in an isolated area. The Salvation Army was one of the few available churches. My grandmother quickly removed me from Sunday school after, at the age of three, I informed

her I was full of sin. To this day, I recall my terror at the hellfire and damnation crap we children had foisted on us. A residual fear remains.
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That's why I left! I was coughing and the teacher (first class) made me stand up and face the kids
while she told them I was coughing because I had sinned and God was punishing me.
An angel will come and take me to hell where I will burn in agony forever!
I grabbed my coat and ran out of there so fast! (age 8)
The reason I was there in the first place was because Iwent to church on Sunday with my parents.
In the pew was my Dad, (so distinguished), my Mother, (so beautiful) me and beside me was my angel!
I could see and hear her plainly! She was transparent and all in white with a faint white "cloud" around her.
I was so fascinated with the sermon because this was God's word, or so I believed.
The minister said, "You must believe and be baptized to enter the kingdom of heaven."
My angel said, "That's not true Cheryl. Don't believe that."
I stood up in the pew and announced loudly, "That's not true!"
My Mother dragged me down and told me to shush but on the way out,
the minister told my parents never to bring me to church again!
I was banished to Sunday school and you know the rest.

Shalimar, Your Grandmother was wise!
 
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Gaer said:
That's why I left! I was coughing and the teacher (first class) made me stand up and face the kids while she told them I was coughing because I had sinned and God was punishing me. An angel will come and take me to hell where I will burn in agony forever!
I grabbed my coat and ran out of there so fast! (age 8)
The reason I was there in the first place was because Iwent to church on Sunday with my parents.
In the pew was my Dad, (so distinguished), my Mother, (so beautiful) me and beside me was my angel!
I could see and hear her plainly!
I was so fascinated with the sermon because this was God's word, or so I believed.
The minister said, "You must believe and be baptized to enter the kingdom of heaven."
My angel said, "That's not true Cheryl. Don't believe that."
I stood up in the pew and announced loudly, "That's not true!"
My Mother dragged me down and told me to shush but on the way out,
the minister told my parents never to bring me to church again!
I was banished to Sunday school and you know the rest.

Shalimar, Your Grandmother was wise!
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Thankyou, Gaer. I agree. I am so very sorry you had that terrible Sunday School experience.♥️
 
There is trying to convert one to a religion and/or church membership and then there is trying to point one to pursuing a personal saving relationship with Christ. Personally, I go with the latter. I will even give out gospel tracts on the street. But I do not approach those that appear to be under 18 as I would not want anyone approach my minor aged child. Also, I respect people's space and do not do this inside stores, car windows, or other private property. Also, I respect the opinions of those that decline my tract.

My motivation is that I truly believe people will be eternally damned without a saving relationship with Christ. With a gospel tract, and some prayer, I believe there is at least a little better chance of that relationship.

For kids, our church offers AWANA and Vacation Bible School. These programs are gospel-centered as opposed to teaching a religion. So they also point kids to a relationship as opposed to a religion.
 
Michael Z said:
There is trying to convert one to a religion and/or church membership and then there is trying to point one to pursuing a personal saving relationship with Christ. Personally, I go with the latter. I will even give out gospel tracts on the street. But I do not approach those that appear to be under 18 as I would not want anyone approach my minor aged child. Also, I respect people's space and do not do this inside stores, car windows, or other private property. Also, I respect the opinions of those that decline my tract.

My motivation is that I truly believe people will be eternally damned without a saving relationship with Christ. With a gospel tract, and some prayer, I believe there is at least a little better chance of that relationship.

For kids, our church offers AWANA and Vacation Bible School. These programs are gospel-centered as opposed to teaching a religion. So they also point kids to a relationship as opposed to a religion.
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No, There is no eternal damnation! I KNOW THIS!
 
I feel you are deflecting by using religion instead of the fact that you had a bad father. He was an abusive man. One aspect of that was he was demeaning to you as a human being, He used religion as one of his tools, that’s what he knew. I’ll bet he had other tools too. My exhusband had a familiar childhood. Maybe take out religion and start thinking about the person responsible for your pain. Shame on him.
 
SeniorBen said:
The family across the street from my house have a minivan with a bumper sticker that asks "HOW COULD HELL BE ANY WORSE?" I get a little chuckle from that every time I walk by. 🤣
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haha! But that's political.. The gas station pump has a sign that says, "Deal with it!" with a picture of a politician eating an ice cream cone.
 
In my opinion, critical thinking has limitations also. Most of us are emotional beings, and while some realities are consistent, imho, others are strongly affected by individual perception. Linear thought can be constraining. It certainly is for me. From the time I was very young I

have needed more than a scientific method approach to problem solving, or finding structure and meaning in my life. I needed an emotional connection with other people, and a sense of being a part of the Universe. I still do. Empathetic and creative people tend to need the opportunity to lead emotional, lateral, experiential lives. Otherwise, we shrivel and withdraw.


Others feel differently, each according to their nature, and personal experience. Many seek a personal value system through spirituality, some
embrace religion, others humanism. Others find their way through without any thought of such ideologies. Satisfying relationships, and/or enjoyment in their work life are their fulfillment. Does recruitment, Christian or otherwise, help or hinder youth’s development?

I think it can do either, depending on the circumstances.
I think a sense of acceptance, belonging, are very important to their personal growth. There are a variety of avenues which can provide a gateway to that. What a marvellous adventure it can be.
 
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Pepper said:
They Must be exposed to what society knows. I taught my son bible stuff as I didn't want him to be ignorant if someone made a reference to something biblical.
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I agree. I feel knowing some of the Bible stories are part of being educated in USA society just as knowing Greek or Roman myths. I wanted my children to know what was meant if someone made a reference to pillar of salt, or coat of many colors, or Job’s troubles, etc.

I didn’t want them to attend a Baptist church as I did. As a compromise, they attended a Lutheran church.

I left it up to them as they got older if they wished to continue on with Christianity as a spiritual practice.
 
Nathan said:
The "man-made church" is all of the ritual, all of the dogma, all of the trappings of the man-made organization that comprises a church.

Christianity itself involves following and practicing the teachings of Jesus the Christ, and all he stood for. That's the "baby" that gets thrown out with the bath water whenever a man-made church causes a follower to turn away...
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Protestant churches were a direct result of what was said above in reaction to the Roman Catholic Church excesses.
 
One of my high school teachers said "A Christian is someone who, to the best of his or her ability, follows the ways and teachings of Jesus Christ."
In my opinion- acceptable AND accurate.

I'd like to know when/how/etc. the words Christian and Christianity become synonyms for fundamentalists/fundamentalism. Does anyone here know?
It no longer means mainstream denominations such as Episcopalian, Methodist, etc., but fringe-element wackos that came up with this:
http://www.goodnewsclubs.info/abusiveshame.htm
 
JaniceM said:
I'd like to know when/how/etc. the words Christian and Christianity become synonyms for fundamentalists/fundamentalism. Does anyone here know?
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I think you are correct that Christianity has become a synonym for fundamentalism. I’m not sure why. It bothers me.

I’ve known truly good Christians who humbly practice what Jesus taught. And I’ve known the type of Christian that gives Christianity it’s bad reputation.

My guess is the fundamentalists have out shouted the more sincere Christians. And the sincere Christians have failed to speak up when they see their religion being distorted.

I think the Muslim religion encounters the same problem with fundamentalists distorting their religion for their own purposes.
 
JaniceM said:
One of my high school teachers said "A Christian is someone who, to the best of his or her ability, follows the ways and teachings of Jesus Christ."
In my opinion- acceptable AND accurate.

I'd like to know when/how/etc. the words Christian and Christianity become synonyms for fundamentalists/fundamentalism. Does anyone here know?
It no longer means mainstream denominations such as Episcopalian, Methodist, etc., but fringe-element wackos that came up with this:
http://www.goodnewsclubs.info/abusiveshame.htm
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My view: Started back in the 70s when the TV ministries and money raking Evangelical / Fundamentalists mega-churches proliferated, and became politically aggressive, giving Christianity a bad reputation..
 
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